All Creation Has Purpose

Who dislikes hearing about the "ideal"? We talk about the ideal husband, ideal family, and nation.  When we talk about the home that is most ideal, then that must be the home in which we want to dwell.

This home would probably be located in an ideal neighborhood and built like a mansion seen in the magazines.

Can we say that this world is the ideal world?

As people of faith, we know that we live in more than one world.

Beyond this world, we know there is a spirit world beyond this physical world which is a bigger house than the ordinary one people imagine.

Would we find harmony or disharmony in this large house?

The 'ideal' represents harmony.  Do we live in this world of harmony?  Does it exist?  Is it possible?  Would the ideal house be lit by just one color of light, or would it be lit by all the living colors of the world.

This large house includes all of nature-trees, and flowers in all their beautiful variety.  Even grass that seems insignificant is part of the whole.  All of these variety of elements each contribute to the overall existence.

Everything in creation has a purpose. 

The courageous tiger is admired by everyone, but the tiny insects and smelly skunks also contribute to existence. We humans dislike the skunk's smell, but some element of the universe might like it.

What if we find out decades from now that the skunk's smell has medicinal value for some animals?  No one wants to be bit by a poisonous snake, but that venom has great value for certain medicines.

A blade of grass would feel that they have some kind of tiny supporting role in the large universe, or that they were important enough that the rest of the world would harmonize with its qualities.

What about in the church?

Some members might think that they are unimportant in the church, but may think that they are indispensable in God's dispensation.

If you think you are indispensable then how do you think the rest of creation views themselves?


My eye may realize that it is small, but feel that if it were blind and staring blankly then Reverend Moon would look unattractive. For that reason my eye feels it is important, and I have to agree. If you ask one hair on my head whether it belongs to me or I belong to it, that hair will definitely respond that I belong to it! 


In a way, this seems like mild arrogance, but everything considers its existence to be important to the rest of the universe.  Without having this concept, we cannot begin to think of the ideal.

Out of all of the thousands of churches in America, there may be only one that sacrifices for the world and sits on a concrete floor.  That church would think they are the center of the universe.  That is the ideal, and is very dramatic.

If you were to think that this life of faith is horrible because of the sacrifices we have to make, you will make your life miserable.


Even though people scornfully oppose me, I still think that without me this nation would be lost, and that I am important to the rest of the universe. This attitude is where the ideal lies. 

The more you can make yourself available for the harmony of the rest of the universe, the closer you are to the ideal.

Now, you know how the ideal is tangible in our present life.

The important thing is not what kind of work you do, it is all about how you feel inside when you do the work, the motivation.

What do you think the ideal way to finish doing chores?  Is it to sulk and hate every minute of it or to have the thought that you do this work for the sake of mankind and the universe with a joyful heart.  Work that is done willingly like this will have value.

Who would be happier: the one who is lazy and does not participate in work, or the one who is busy?

The busy person would be more happy because the more work you perform, the more you relate to the variety of the world and the more opportunity you have to harmonize with your neighbors.

Why do we always try to do our best when we could goof off and work at your leisure?

By doing your best, you become more central to the rest of the world.  It is better to work with your whole heart and soul.

When listening to speeches, you can think that among the others that are listening, you will be the champion in taking action and carrying out the words you heard.

The ideal is connected to all practical elements. 

You may do a good performance and it does not guarantee you will be praised or recognized.  Sometimes you may be chastised.

You may think that it is better to receive some reward for a good job, but it is better to be criticized.

No one can subtract from what you did, but by receiving criticism, you create a situation where the critic has to surrender to you.  Then those who praise you can defend the values of what you did.

In other words, you will be able to conquer both elements by what you did.

This is how the saints did their great work.

They were never accepted in their own time, but they had the capacity to digest the criticism of people, thus history remembers and recognizes them and they receive a much higher reward.

When you do the right thing yet the entire world comes against you, it will be your asset.

This is because you will acquire a great capacity to contain all of the elements in the world.

While doing this work, digest the criticism, and by doing so, I am creating room for all of America to eventually bow down to the truth.

Then what would be the ideal kind of work?

It is when you do the right thing, yet receive criticism instead of praise.  When you think in this way, you understand that you have no adversary in the world.  People think it is bad to be cursed at
 because you will acquire the capacity to contain all the elements of the world.

I am one example. I am working hard to do the right thing, but because America doesn't understand this it has opposed me. 1 will digest that criticism, and by doing so I am creating room for all of America to bow down eventually.

There are two kinds of people that receive curse words: the one who deserves to be criticized, and the one who does good things yet receives abuse from people.

What makes something bad?

Evil has no hesitation to sacrifice others for its own good without any righteous purpose attached.  Goodness is giving of the self for the public purpose.

What is the ideal way of life?

We conclude that the ideal way to live is in giving yourself for the sake of others, even when you are criticized for doing so.  There are also two ways to serve others:  one is to do something good yet be criticized and the second is to be totally committed to serving others, even while risking one's life.

Which one is the most ideal way?

Jesus taught this ideal level because he was serious about giving his life for the sake of others.

"He who would gain his life would lose it, but he who loses his life for my sake will find it."

When Jesus spoke that he was the way, the truth and the life, was he speaking of a small mountain or a superhighway that reaches to heaven?  He was speaking about the truth which the entire universe would embrace.

When Jesus said he was the life, he did not envision a shivering miserable life.  Jesus had the authority to speaks these things because in his way of life, he always lowered himself to serve others.

When Jesus said he was the way, the truth and the life, did he mean he was a small mountain trail, or a superhighway to the Kingdom of Heaven? What kind of truth was he referring to?

He meant the truth which the entire universe would embrace it.

When you lower yourself, you will be lifted up, but those who try to elevate himself will be lowered.

When you kick a ball way up in the air, it comes down with great force and rebounds back up high. Is that more ideal, or should it be kicked so high that when it comes down it doesn't rebound but just disappears into the ground?  This is unimaginable.

We may think this is the ideal way, but the ball wouldn't like this ideal way.  But the ball was born for this mission.  If the ball wants to be the number one ball, it has to be kicked hard in the air and rebound back up high again, and last the longest and go the farthest.

When American young people hang out at the club, we may think why do they want to dance and waste their time away.  It may make sense that they would have fun for themselves.  There is no law that says you have to live for the sake of the world.

When we do our mission work and get spit on or criticized, we wipe it away and say, "I am doing this for the sake of the world".  You raise money not for yourself but to benefit the world.  This is what distinguishes your activity from everyone else's.

What is the opposite of the ideal?

Can we judge someone's happiness by how rich he is?  Can we also say that the one who does not own anything is unhappy?  What is the definition of happiness and unhappiness?

It does not matter how elegant your palace you live in, if you live there only for yourself and sacrifice others for your own benefit, you are sitting in hell. Even if you don't have a place of your own, and you look poor as long as you are trying to serve other people, you have heaven.  Is this true?

There are many people that make a good living and live in luxury, they go home at night anguished over their lives that they can't sleep.  A rich man in his heart feels pressure from his society and nation and feels guilty.  This is a kind of self-torture.

There is this fight between the conscience which tells him not to live like this, but he has a desire to keep all his things for himself.

There are many rich people who struggle internally at night for living this selfish way.  Even the walls and the ceiling will say they deserve to live that way.  The fine furniture will say that it did not exist to please the selfish owner, but to accuse them.

When your conscience is clear you feel that the entire universe is embracing you. 

If you sleep humbly under a bridge in a sleeping bag, you would see the beautiful blue sky and sunshine when you wake up the next morning.  The green grass and flowers would make the best hotel room.  Even the gentle breeze jumps around you.

In this way of life, you don't fee anguish when you lie in bed at night, but fall asleep immediately from all the providential work serving others.

If a riot was certain to break out, we should stay at peace while others are uncertain and afraid.
In our way of life we don't feel anguish as we lie in bed at night, but just fall asleep immediately! Who is happier, the anguished rich man, or the person sleeping under the bridge?

The happier person is not the rich person living in anguish, but the person sleeping under the bridge.

Whatever the mission, I am at peace because I do it with all my effort.

The one who deserves to live in the ideal house is the ideal man or woman.  We should concentrate on being ideal men and women, but instead we worry about what you don't have; this is the basic problem.

The main cause of the problem lies within yourself, yet we often place blame on our environment and circumstances.

We do not have time to eat or sleep in doing our public mission, because the nation is crumbling and the world is at stake.

There is not time to spend on someone who is not certain why they are here.  It does not mean we don't care about members, the priority is to follow the bigger cause first when we have too many responsibilities to fulfill.

If a person is totally dedicated to the public cause then he is living the ideal life.

This movement seems like it does not care about people, but that judgment will declines.

This is because the Church is dedicated fully to the public purpose, the basic unselfish cause.

We are taught that we should sacrifice our desires for the public cause, so the person who wants to sacrifice others to take care of him does not understand this concept.  Before you complain, be a frontline soldier who works harder than any other member and then your constructive criticism will be worthwhile.

This is important for new members to know this as they will face many difficult times.

You have many demands and responsibilities with little time.  You have new members to take care of, fundraising efforts and you out there for the mission.  Is it more ideal to fellowship or tell them that you are too busy doing your mission?

The one who is truly dedicated for the public cause will eventually win.

As a tree grows its branches extend out farther and farther.  What if the tree does not bear any fruit or flowers?  Trees normally bear flowers, but for whom does it bear them.?  Would the flowers blossom or have a certain color for the tree's sake or for the ideal of harmonizing the universe?

The color of the flowers are for the sake of inviting insects and bees.  The vibrant colors are necessary to communicate with the rest of the world.  Also, the fragrance of the flowers is not for the survival of the tree.

The fragrance is to harmonize and communicate with others.

When you see the flowers you impart your happiness and enjoyment of them. In reality the flowers possess their color and fragrance for your joy.  It seems as if beautiful flowers in the garden call out for you to touch and smell them.

The flowers, too, would be pleased because their purpose is fulfilled and they were touched and appreciated by others.

It is this communication and fellowship which makes life more beautiful.

Would it make sense for a plant to have green flowers and green leaves?

It is easy to admire how sensible plants are in having flowers of various colors.  People would take this for granted, but what if the flowers were just as green as the leaves?

Is that exciting?

There is a possibility there is a green plant with green flowers, but even then you will find some accent of white or red for instance that sets it apart.

Have you ever seen a plant with green flowers as well as green leaves? Would it make sense? I have always admired how sensible plants are in having flowers of various colors, not just green like their leaves.

Flowers impart beauty and fragrance for the sake of others, for the sake of harmony with the universe. In that harmony a fuller life is generated. 

If we were flowers, we would want to be a stimulating, vibrant color.

God would like the color and fragrance of the one who works hard for His ideal world.   No matter what other people think, at least one person would come to enjoy our color and fragrance-that is God.

That color and fragrance never changes wherever you go, so God would go there and enjoy it.  If you were to wind up in hell, God would go there with you also.  Wherever you go, you carry the fragrance and color which attracts God.

Therefore, activity and life will be generated wherever you go.

It is not that bad if your surroundings are drab, because you would look more vivid.  Others think that this is hell, but we think it is heaven to live this way of life.  The dark circumstances of hell will make you stand out better.

The Chinese character for "ideal" actually depicts a king and a village, so it literally means "king's village," or the village where the king dwells.

A king would not just be responsible for the good of the country, but for both the good and the bad.  Good kings will let other people take care of the good things while he takes care of the bad situations.

God is the King of kings because He thinks He will be responsible for the evil of the world. 

Because God takes care of the bad things, He is supremely good king of all of the kings of the past, present that lived on earth and they will have to bow down to Him.



Return for Tomorrow's Post: Your Attitude in Prayer

This post was rewritten and derived from the speech Ideal Home

How to Be Grateful for the Little Things

Now summer is here and all of nature is ready. When you come to Belvedere you might look at that one big tree outside here and remark at how big a tree it is.

When you go outside, you will see that some trees will have a special characteristic that will catch your attention, Especially if one is tall and has colorful leaves.  Even in nature, it is hard to find an object that is perfectly beautiful.  It takes a lot of catering and arrangement to create and present beauty.

There is manmade beauty and natural beauty, but beauty created in the natural way is more difficult. 

Even though an oak tree is big, it started from a small acorn.

Over the years that it grew, it had to absorb many elements.  In its growth it took many sacrifices and contributions.

There is an absolute necessary element that the tree needs to do before it can command respect as a great tree.

I must realize that there were several circumstances and elements combined to make its success possible.

It is a heartistic necessity to recognize and bow down to these elements which made it great.  Both internal and external elements made great sacrifices to make just that one tree.

When the tree is grateful and humble before the elements which made him great, those elements would have respect for him knowing his position and then will gladly give more of themselves.

The small blades of grass that reside in the tree's shade would not be able to complain that the tree receives all of the sun light, but would decide to live with the inconvenience because the tree was grateful.

What if the sun decided to stop shining on the tree?

Would the tree still be in the position to be proud and great or would he become worried and anxious how he would survive without the sun?

What if the air stopped existing or any more water?  How would the tree react?

This situation is just an analogy for man's relationships.

Should you walk pridefully and think that you don't need anybody and you exist independently?  Or would you be meek enough to thank the sun and the air for sustaining your existence?

You eat food with your mouth and at the same time your skin is "breathing" sunlight; which is more delicious?

Let us think in a different way.  You may think that you taste with your mouth but without the sun, your eyes would not even be necessary.

Without the air, you would no longer need your nose.  Therefore, without the air, how would soundwaves travel?  Without soundwaves, your ears would not be necessary.

Your mouth sacrifices many things from the outside for your survival.

Can you then be proud?  Where did your arms and legs come from?  They come from your parents and belong to them in reality.  When each of you was in your mother's womb, you stole energy from her as you grew.

When you go to the store, whatever you buy, you receive a receipt, but did you get a small receipt from all of the energy your mother gave you?  This is why you are thieves!

Can you truly say your body belongs to you?

Day and night you kicked and poked your mother, but you never apologized.  Did you complain or did you have gratitude while you were in your mother's womb?  After nine months of acting up in your mother, you were born.

But you still took nourishment and energy as she fed you.

When you were a little older, you were then fed complete meals by others.  Can we still proclaim our bodies truly belong to us and owe no one?  You never earned it.

Americans are prompt to say thank you, but how much more do you owe thanks to your parents who gave birth to you and attended to you while you grew?

If you were a restless or cranky baby and cried all of the time and demanded attention, you parents didn't demand you to stop, they would immediately comfort you.

Then when you became of age, you attended school for education.  Your parents in totality take care of you for 18 years.

When you think deeply about these things, then you know that you are indebted to your parents for your well-being.  Have you ever told your parents how much they served you or gave and terms of dollars.

The debt is so great, you would never be able to pay them back.

American teenagers act sometimes as if their parents magically appeared out of the heavens.  They speak about the gap between the generations, and that they came into being without causing any trouble to anyone.

Many times young people think their parents just bother them and they place them in retirement homes with an attitude that no one needs the elderly.

The universe does not work in this way.

The world must harmonize.

A person never parallels the universal way when they claim things for his own selfish benefit and demand his rights.  

It is a law of nature that while you are growing up, you are deeply indebted to your parents, and after you are grown and responsible then you repay that debt by taking care of your parents.

When you take a look into the past, what is it that you can be proud of?

You can be proud that you are indebted to your father and mother recognizing that you are also indebted to nature.  You would show appreciation for the water, sun and air, because without these elements you could not even survive for five minutes.

We must be thankful for the world of plants and the animal kingdom.

When you pass a pasture, what is the first thing you think when you see a cow?  That she is fat and that she would make good steaks?  You would probably think of food first instead of thanking the cow.

Which person would the cow welcome: the person who thought of him as a potential steak, or the one who shows gratitude toward him?

Even a cow would rather be eaten by a gracious person instead of a greedy person.

God looks down at this self-centered kind of thinking and knows that He did not create this world for man's self-serving needs.

Do you think that your clothes belong to you?  What about the jewelry you wear?

When a person is proud and thinks that they are independent from others and their environment, nature would laugh at such a person.  Nature knows that you could never exist by yourself.

The universe would never show any gratitude toward the person does not observe any thankfulness.  Everyone has something to be thankful for in their life from the moment of their birth.

If there is a person that understands how much they are indebted to nature, parents, the world and knows his position the world gladly harmonizes with him.

What if you lived in the desert and all the sudden woke up to find that a tropical environment was being created before you in your presence.  How much gratitude would you feel then?

Wouldn't you shout for happiness if all of this appeared out of nowhere one day?  Would you take the world of nature for granted after experiencing the wasteland just beforehand?

Have you ever thought that there was a day where nothing was in existence, that time before God brought anything into existence?  God said that everything was good when creation was complete, but what if you as His child took more pleasure and enjoyment in each thing that He did?

Would He gladly appreciate your expression or not?

God has existed from the beginning, so He would remember and appreciate you based on the historical perspective of millions of years.  Would God say with your kind of heart that it was just good, or would He remember and appreciate you within His heart?

He would think that you were better than anyone in all of history for having so much gratitude for His work.

What if this type of person was not so valued in the looks department or was crippled?  Would God appreciate them less?

No, this person would be remembered first in God's heart.

What about you, what is you first impression when you look in the mirror every morning?

Many women will shun looking in the mirror or have their picture taken.  But no matter how you look, you should view yourself in the broader perspective in which God sees us.

Each of us sends out waves or vibrations to the universe and the world can communicate with you through them. 

What kind of vibes would a person who appreciate everything send?

What about people who always complain and use people for their own advantage?  This kind of person would repel everything in the universe because of that vibration.

The person who is always negative and dissatisfied with everything in site, bites everything including friends and family.

A dissatisfied personality always has long nails everywhere around their body to bite or scratch the universe.  Doesn't it feel that way when you are around such a person?

Today there are definitely a great many people that live in such an unhappy state.

What about your heart?

On the other hand, when you realize your position toward your neighbors and relatives, you feel gratitude.  Then instead of biting and scratching others, you only reach out to embrace them all.

This way, you are sending out infinite waves of gratitude out to all corners of the earth.

The ocean is wide, but it could not be greater than your mind of gratitude. 

Your mind can be strong if you make it small, but if you make it large then it is larger than any ocean on earth!

In that case, the entire universe embraces you also with that quality of mind.    

We each have millions of individual cells in our bodies that are similar to employees in a corporation.  Each of these cells send out their own waves which all of nature responds.

Whatever vibe you send out, is how nature will echo you.

What kind of person do you want to be like: the kind that has infinite appreciation, or one that always has infinite disappointment and complaint?

This is why the Bible teaches to always have gratitude, as well as humbleness and meekness.

Can you count how many words you have used in your life up to this point?  Can you measure what portion has been dedicated to speaking gratitude or for complaint?

We have a general tendency to complain, so most people would receive the sign, "I am a complainer."  Don't you think this is the life most people lead?

But when you complain then everything in the universe is repelled by you. 

Even your parents and friends wouldn't want to be around you if you complain all the time.

Would God be happy to hear it?  Are your eyes, nose and ears complaining about the information that comes to them or are they appreciative in what they see, hear and smell?

If your body and mind are always full of complaint, who will welcome you?  Not even your husband or fiancee, there is no exception.  No one likes to be around such negativity.

If you were to place bags holding your complaint or appreciation, which outweighs the other?

Are complainers usually good or bad people?  You don't like to hear this kind of judgement do you?:

But don't you think that evil-minded people also want to hear kind words from others?

Wouldn't nature also want to hear words of kindness and love, or would they tell you to stop?  Even your pet loves to have loving reinforcement when they do something good. Even the simple words, "Good boy" brings such excitement.

Does your balance tilt more on the complaint or gratitude side?

If you are below zero, then nothing will treat you like a human being because you would be substandard, at the animal level of interaction.



Return for Tomorrow's Post: Recreate the Ideal World

This post was rewritten and derived form the speech Reflection Upon Life